I absolutely love Wardell's Teachers in Love series, so I was really looking forward to this book, but maybe I started with the bar too high. For one, I kind of hate it when one of the characters works in stand-up because that means there are likely to be lots of sub-par jokes in an attempt to show how funny the character is. This book was no exception. Marsh's jokes fell flat more often than not and were more annoying than endearing. 

Another thing I wasn't a fan of was the reason for Data's nickname. I found it cringey. It didn't help that the phrase "dat ass" was repeated multiple times during their intimate moments. (Also, speaking of cringey things during sexy times, the Mallomars scene was... interesting in a bad way.)

Also, it seemed like there were a lot of details that weren't entirely well-researched or communicated well that made for some weak storylines. Someone with asthma should know better than to attempt a hike in the snow. Lucky Charms does not have a strawberry flavored marshmallow, and the way they treated Joe's Alzheimer's seemed a little off as well though I may not be able to pinpoint exactly why. Even the whole reason for their breakup in the first place was shaky at best. After being together for 8 years, their breakup didn't make sense. Maybe if they had been younger, but at their ages? It was a bit flimsy. Also, how did they afford to buy the cabin the first place? Maybe that was mentioned and I just forgot, but neither of them seem particularly wealthy, despite Marsh's dad's business. Having a whole second home outside the city seemed a bit of a stretch, but maybe I'm just too poor to get it. 

There were definitely parts of the book I enjoyed. I liked Data's character and the writing style was smooth. The chemistry between the characters well done even if the sex scenes were a bit awkward. Overall, it was an enjoyable enough read, and I'll read the next in the series even though I didn't love this book as much as anticipated.